Musician found dead after fleeing police (inquest hears)

A musician was found dead in a Sheffield canal five days after fleeing a police search, his inquest heard. Wayne Hamilton, of Albert Road, Heeley, ran after officers stopped friend Lewis Trotman’s car on Shirland Lane, Attercliffe, Sheffield, in the early hours of June 10, 2010.

His body was found in the nearby Sheffield and Tinsley Canal five days later.

A Sheffield jury inquest yesterday heard Mr Trotman say police started to follow the bandmates as they returned to their Attercliffe recording studio after buying refreshments. Jurors heard the two officers who stopped them believed they could smell cannabis.

PC Michael Henderson found nothing when searching driver Mr Trotman, 23, and then went to check 25-year-old Mr Hamilton.

Mr Trotman said: “As he’s gone to search him there’s a bit of a ruckus and Wayne took off. “There were no blows, just pushing and shoving, basically a bit of a struggle, then he took off.” PC Henderson chased Mr Hamilton, but fell. Mr Hamilton was not seen alive again.